Following Deb Viney's comments on maths, those interested in the
problems that dyslexics have with this may like to look at three
articles published in the current issue of (Aug. 99) Mathematics
Today, the Journal of the Institute of Mathematics and Its
Applications. They refer to three research studies carried out by
staff at Mark College Somerset, which specialises in teaching
dyslexics.
They are not at all heavy going or technical. Steve Chinn founded
Mark College and in his article he lists the following contributing
factors:
long term memory for basic facts and procedures
short term memory span
spatial aspects, including presenting work on paper
speed of working
reading word problems
trying new topics (risk taking)
sequential information
generalising
The authors are Steve Chinn, Julie Kay and Les Skidmore. I
hesitated to say anything in case I was inundated with requests for
copies but I shall speak to the editor of the journal next week to see
if we can make them available electronically.
Meanwhile, if anyone knows Mark College's address or phone
number perhaps they can tell me and I could contact the authors
direct. They may have email addresses we could use to start up a
dialogue.
I feel disatisfied with our approach to this when DSA clients ask for
help. I know we cannot provide straight maths coaching (which is
the responsibility of the course if it is needed), but know of so few
people who claim to be able to deal with it appropriately.
The IMA website is at:
http://www.ima.org.uk/institute/mathstoday.htm
The articles are named but there seems to be no way to access
their content.
Dave Laycock
Head of CCPD
Computer Centre for People with Disabilities
University of Westminster
72 Great Portland Street
London W1N 5AL
tel. 0171-911-5161
fax. 0171-911-5162
WWW home page: http://www.wmin.ac.uk/ccpd/
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